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Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon delivered an important address to the visiting delegation of sixty leaders, discussing the expulsion of Jews from Spain, citizenship legislation, and actions he and the government have taken to support Israel and counter anti-Semitism and the growing BDS movement.

In an important address to the visiting delegation of sixty leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, declared the expulsion of Jews from Spain five centuries ago an “historic” tragedy that never should have taken place and a “fatal” loss for all of Spain. The recent legislation granting Spanish citizenship to Jews of Sephardic ancestry is backed by all political parties as well as the vast majority of  of Spanish people, he said.  He spoke out forcefully against Holocaust denial and emphasized the imperative to act against all discrimination and rising xenophobia.  By visiting Israel as he did, he added, one overcomes the biases against Israel that are widely held in Europe. The delegation is visiting Spain in advance of its annual Israel Leadership Mission.

 

Left to right, Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Robert Sugarman, Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Left to right: Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon,  Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Robert Sugarman, Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

Left to right, Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon¸ Robert Sugarman, Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, David Hatchwell Altaras, President of the Madrid Jewish Community.

Left to right: Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Spanish Minister of Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, Robert Sugarman, Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, David Hatchwell Altaras, President of the Madrid Jewish Community.